About Us

Over Christmas and Boxing Day 2015, Pennine areas in the North of England had over 60mm of rain fall in 24 hours and some locations had over 100 mm. During this time, the Calder Valley suffered the most significant flooding event in recent times. 2,781 homes and 4,416 businesses were flooded all along the Calder Valley causing unparalleled and significant damage.

Recorded flooding events in the Calder Valley go back as far as 1615 so it is evident that some action needs to be taken to look at why this is happening.

Slow The Flow Calderdale was set up to look scientifically at the issue of why and how the Calder Valley floods and to look at natural flood prevention measures and solutions to slow the volume of water which comes down the hillsides into the River Calder. We are a group of dedicated engineers, scientists, landscape experts, and those working in land management. We are working with Government, The Environment Agency, Calderdale Council, The National Trust, Treesponsibility, The Source Partnership, The Calder & Colne Rivers Trust, Pennine Prospects, Calder Futures and the Flood Wardens along the Calder Valley to seek a solution to this continuing and growing problem.

Slow The Flow Calderdale members are mostly local and are all volunteers giving up their time to secure a future for the Calder Valley and all who live, work and visit here. We will not stop flooding events, but if we work collaboratively we can reduce the risk of serious flooding. Building walls are not the only solution.

Our objectives are simple –to slow the flow from the upper catchment to the main river channel thereby reducing the flood peak and limiting out of bank flow where it matters, in our towns and villages.

Training, advice, guidance and support will be given to those joining for the first time!

Due to limited parking at Hardcastle Crags, we must try and limit the number of volunteer cars in the car parks at Hardcastle Crags. If possible, please could you help us help the National Trust with the limited parking by doing one of the following;

1. Can you Car Share with another volunteer
2. Park in Hebden and walk to Hardcastle Crags.
3. Meet us at Hebden Bridge Station at 9.15 am or at car park opposite Hebden Bridge Town Hall at 9.20 on each volunteer day and we will provide a shuttle service. We will also return you back to Hebden at the end of the session around 12.30pm.

Please wear appropriate clothing. NO SHORTS ARE TO BE WORN as we will be working in the forest undergrowth and this will leave legs exposed to the many bugs and ticks in the forest.

Thank you for choosing to volunteer with us. If you have any special needs, please do get in touch and we will do our best to help you get the most out of volunteering with Slow The Flow Calderdale.

Further volunteer guidance including Health and Safety information is available here http://slowtheflow.net/volunteering-guidance-including-health-and-safety/

Read our latest blog on how rain garden planters can make a small contribution to flood alleviation.
These results could have significant implications if lots of people get involved in retrofitting SuDS interventions in their own gardens.
https://t.co/vErMYHFaMr